Community Mental Health Affiliates, Hartford City Mission Vie for $10,000 in Championship Match-up

Posted by Bernard Kavaler, Community Contributor

Posted by Bernard Kavaler, Community Contributor

Community Contributor Bernard Kavaler

It comes down to this. Community Mental Health Affiliates and Hartford City Mission have reached the final match-up among Hartford-area nonprofit organizations in Hartford's first-ever Brackets for Good. Overall, Hartford-area nonprofit organizations have raised $165,357 in the competitive fundraising tournament that began just five weeks ago with 60 participating nonprofit organizations.

The two finalist nonprofits are the running for a $10,000 Championship grant - the championship round ends this Friday, March 31, at 8:00 PM. Individuals can contribute to either nonprofit organization at hartford.bfg.org. Thus far, Hartford-area nonprofits have raised more money than in any of six first-year cities conducting tournaments this year.

Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. (CMHA) is a private non-profit treatment provider headquartered in New Britain, with 12 locations in 3 cities throughout northwest and central Connecticut. CMHA partners with clients and the community to promote recovery from mental illness and addiction, treating more than 6,100 adults and children each year. CMHA is Connecticut's first fully Joint Commission accredited Behavioral Health Home. www.cmhacc.org

For over 15 years Hartford City Mission (HCM) has met the needs of under-resourced North Hartford families and children through character development, academic support, and building holistic connections with families, schools, and local churches. HCM runs after school homework support and character development for students in grades 1-8. HCM creates a successful life path for youth growing up in a culture of generational poverty. www.hartfordcitymission.org

In only three cities - Indianapolis, Louisville and St. Louis - has more money been raised for local nonprofit organizations than in Hartford. Boys & Girls Club of Bristol Family Center and Capital City Education Alliance reached the "Philanthropic Four" in Hartford and raised a total of $24,620 and $11,277 respectively. Participating nonprofits rally enthusiastic donors to out-fundraise their opponents in order to advance. Competing nonprofits keep donations received during tournament play, no matter how many rounds they advance.

Eleven cities across the country are conducting Brackets for Good tournaments this year, with the support of local businesses. The Hartford tournament is presented by Stanley Black & Decker. Sponsors include Aetna, Express Strategies, Lids, Supporting Strategies, Bloomerang, and The Perfect Promotion.

"Stanley Black & Decker is committed to building a better tomorrow," said Donald Allan, Jr., Stanley Black & Decker Senior VP & Chief Financial Officer. "It's not just the homes we help build with our tools, or the schools we protect with our security systems. It's also a commitment to stepping up and bettering our communities. Partnering with Brackets For Good is a fun and impactful way we can support organizations that are serving the Hartford community, where many of our employees call home."

Brackets for Good began in Indianapolis in 2012, and subsequently added Louisville. In 2016, tournaments were launched in Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St.Paul), St. Louis and Ann Arbor, Michigan. This year, Hartford, Miami, Cincinnati, Denver, Miami and Nashville were added.

The website hartford.bfg.org provides information on the participating nonprofit organizations and updates on their weekly fundraising efforts. Online contributions to the two Hartford area nonprofits that have reached the championship is now underway, at hartford.bfg.org

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